[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img] '99 Explorer 400 has developed poor performance in mountains. Won't get out of its own way while trying to climb. Cleaned carb, new plug, good gas, RPM seem to be ok.

Belt next? How can I tell if the belt is bad? Took it off but didn't know what to look for.
Measured width at 1 1/8 inches. Is that a sign of a worn belt? What should width be on a good belt?
Also found black soot inside the plastic housing. Is that a sign of a smoked belt?

Is the local NAPA store the place to buy Gates belt (part number 19AT4090)? Other places to buy?

Do I need a new belt?

 

Are you smelling burnt rubber? Is the machine jerky or making a clicking noise? Are you getting high RPM but the machine is not moving to the motors performance? Those are usually good signs of a bad belt. * Are you getting not enough power to climb? Black soot is not always a sign of a bad belt, just belt wear. Make sure to clean the inside of belt housing and the metal that comes in contact with the belt. A smoked belt will not nessecarily the width of the belt but what the belts outer edge looks like. The rubber may appear to have melted a little on the sides.

*I had a problem in the mountains where I couldnt get the power to climb a hill and all it was was a need for a new airfilter.

Get a new belt at http://partsland.com/ $39.99 + shipping

Good luck!!

 

If it was a bad belt you would notice it big time, the machine wouldn't move(or barely move. It never hurts to clean the sheave's and housing with soap and water. The residue (black power) is normal.
Are you sure you don't have a clogged fuel filter or jet??

 

Lovemud - thanks for the reply,

I had the jet out, cleaned it (didn't appear to be dirty). The engine idles good and runs well on level ground. It just has problems climbing the trails we used to climb last year.

If the jet or fuel filter was dirty, wouldn't it run bad even during idle or level ground?

 

Yea, it would run bad all the time if it were jets or filter. When you say you "on mountains" do you mean at a steep incline or at high altitude? and how does it run in your yard?

 

If the secondary preload is off (fatigued spring maybe) it won't backshift properly.

 

I read that spewy said is it making a clicking noise........my trail boss 330 clicks and it does not seem to be the chain,,,,,,could it be the belt.......if so what would cause it to click?

 

Sometimes the belt may fray and the strips will hit the inside of the cover.

Clicking is also possible if your chain guard is loose. (sounds like the same thing)

 

thanks for the info I will check the belt,ruled out the chain gaurd.

 

Hey Lovemud,

It lives in the mountains and used to run mountain trails all the time. I'm confused because it seems to run well on level roads. What could have happened during storage last winter that would cause such a problem?